Record Reviews

MISHA ALPERIN ~ NORTH STORY ECM 1596 (Barcode: 731453102224) ~ RUSSIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1995 Released: 1997 The Soviet Union produced some truly amazing Jazz musicians, including Avant-Garde pioneers and prophetic innovators, who were almost completely unknown outside of the empire´s borders. The fate of the Soviet Jazz is a fascinating chapter in the music´s history. Following the collapse of the Soviet regime, many of the musicians, who were active on the local scene, left the country, including pianist / composer Misha AlperinFind albums by this artist, who now lives in Norway. His recordings for the ECMFind albums on this label label, starting with the "Wave Of SorrowFind albums with this title" album (the first album by Soviet musicians to be released on ECM) brought his wonderful music to the attention of a much wider audience, which of course is well deserved. This is Alperin´s 2nd album on ECM, released almost a decade after the debut. He is accompanied by his life-long friend and musical partner Arkady ShilkloperFind albums by this artist, who plays French horn and flugelhorn, and three Norwegian musicians: saxophonist Tore BrunborgFind albums by this artist, bassist Terje GeweltFind albums by this artist and Master drummer Jon ChristensenFind albums by this artist. Alperin´s music is contemplative and deeply moving, complex but also melodic, reminiscent of some contemporary Classical music but with a distinct Jazz connection. It is devilishly difficult to perform and the musicians present here are obviously all virtuosi. I can´t imagine any serious music connoisseur not falling in love with this music immediately and if you´re not familiar with it, now is the time! Visitors' Comments Christopher  Brice I came to Alperin via his collaboration with John Surman on "First Impression," which is highly recommended; and I am grateful to Adam for pushing me to try more of his work, starting here. Tore Brunborg is uncannily like Jan Garbarek at first hearing; is this a Norwegian national style? Christopher  Brice PS: On this album, ECM breaks with the habit of putting a larger version of the cover photo on the slip case: the cover and slip case give us four different photos of what seems to be the same event; but as ever, there are no details given

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

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MISHA ALPERIN / JOHN SURMAN ~ FIRST IMPRESSION ECM 1664 (Barcode: 731455765021) ~ RUSSIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1997 Released: 1999 This is the 3rd album on ECMFind albums on this label by ex-Soviet (now living in Norway) brilliant pianist / composer Misha AlperinFind albums by this artist, which finds his joining forces with British Master saxophonist / composer John SurmanFind albums by this artist, who accepts the role of a band member here, which is a measure of respect he holds for Alperin´s compositions. They are accompanied by Alperin´s life-long friend and musical partner Arkady ShilkloperFind albums by this artist, who plays French horn and flugelhorn, and three Norwegian musicians: bassist Terje GeweltFind albums by this artist, Master drummer Jon ChristensenFind albums by this artist and percussionist Hans-Kristian Kjos SorensenFind albums by this artist. Alperin´s music is contemplative and deeply moving, complex but also melodic, reminiscent of some contemporary Classical music but with a distinct Jazz connection. It is devilishly difficult to perform and the musicians present here are obviously all virtuosi. I can´t imagine any serious music connoisseur not falling in love with this music immediately and if you´re not familiar with it, now is the time!

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KARIN KROG / JOHN SURMAN ~ SONGS ABOUT THIS AND THAT MEANTIME 20 (Barcode: 7041880102029) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 This is the third album (well third under the duo moniker but they recorded together many times over the years) by the fabulous duo of Norwegian vocalist / composer Karin KrogFind albums by this artist and British saxophonist / composer John SurmanFind albums by this artist. This time they are accompanied by Norwegian musicians: guitarist Bjorn KlakeggFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Ivar KolveFind albums by this artist, bassist Terje GeweltFind albums by this artist and drummer Tom OlstadFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, all co-composed by Krog and Surman. The music was recorded by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist at the Rainbow Studio in Oslo with the usual stunning sound quality. The music is wonderful, as always, but this time completely mainstream oriented. Krog sings the lyrics of the songs in a pretty straightforward manner, and Surman, who plays mostly baritone sax and bass clarinet, soloes beautifully, but conventionally, as do all the members of the band. For Krog and Surman followers this might come as a surprise, as their work together was mostly characterized by exploring the boundaries of the Jazz idiom. Having said that, this is still a most refined and wonderful musical experience, which offers a superb listening experience. All the instrumental performances are highly inspired and perfectly executed, and Krog’s idiosyncratic voice lost nothing of its beauty and charm over time, and she has few contenders as far as dramatic delivery is concerned. Overall the album is a beautiful gift of music, which is always welcome from these two great Artists. Back to the roots can be truly exciting, as this album convincingly proves!

Updated: 14/06/2021Posted: 14/06/2021

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